Pre-Season Friendly - Saturday 19th July 2025
PFC Victoria 6-5 NW London
NWL Goalscorers : Arianit Krasniqi 21' 33', Omar Abdallah 71', Jose Mata 73', Jaeden Nathaneal 75'
NW London concluded their pre-season schedule on Saturday with a dramatic 6–5 defeat away at PFC Victoria in a thrilling contest that offered both excitement and encouragement ahead of the 2025/26 Thurlow Nunn League campaign.
The two Step 6 sides—now playing in different regions—last met back in 2018 during their Middlesex County League days, and Saturday's rematch delivered an eleven-goal spectacle filled with attacking quality and late drama.
From the outset, NW London looked sharp, especially in the first half, moving the ball with confidence and creating chances through quick passing combinations. CJ Eseka made his first start since returning to the club and made an immediate impact, linking play and setting up NWL's opening goal.
PFC Victoria struck first, capitalising on a rebound from a header. But NWL responded quickly—Eseka slipped a well-weighted pass through to Arianit Krasniqi, who coolly dribbled around the goalkeeper before slotting home to equalise.
PFC then regained control with two goals before the break—one from an unmarked header and another that sparked controversy. NWL had stopped for a head injury, but with play allowed to continue, the hosts took advantage to make it 3–1.
Just before half-time, NW London pulled one back as Krasniqi jinked inside the area and fired a powerful left-footed strike past the keeper to make it 3–2.
The second half began with NWL on the front foot again, and the game shifted further when a PFC midfielder was shown a straight red card for violent conduct in the 55th minute. Despite the man advantage, NWL were punished for an error at the back, and PFC extended their lead to 4–2.
But NW London responded in brilliant fashion. Omar Abadallah intercepted a loose pass and tucked away the chance to make it 4–3. Minutes later, Jose Mata broke through, rounded the keeper, and levelled the score. The comeback was completed when Nathanel reacted quickly to a loose ball in the box, finishing from close range to give NW London a 5–4 lead.
Unfortunately, the final moments proved costly. A deflected effort saw PFC draw level in the 88th minute, and a late breakaway—despite strong offside appeals—snatched a 6–5 win for the home side.
Despite the scoreline, NW London will take plenty of positives into the league campaign. Krasniqi continued his fine pre-season form, Eseka looked lively on his return, and both Ngwueche and Devin Mills put in strong defensive shifts.